When Churchgate House on Oxford Road, Manchester, was chosen as the headquarters of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and new GM Mayor Andy Burnham, it was stated to be the cheapest option.
The rent was reported to cost £650,000, with IT costs adding a further £450,000 bringing the total to £1.1million a year. Now, following a review for Churchgate and the attached Lee House, "the rent" states new papers from the GMCA "will increase by approximately £0.1 million per annum..."
Even with some additional space, this is one hell of a rise, and budget figures show that £20,000 of this is for the GM Mayor's accommodation, which includes Burnham himself plus the Director of Mayors Office plus five 'business support posts'.
Those 'Direct staffing costs', including Burnham's salary, will be £455,000 in the financial year 2020-21, with £35,000 also set aside for 'mobiles, travel, printing etc...'.
Altogether, the total 'Direct Mayor and Support Budget' is £1.239million, including all of the above plus £219,000 for 'communications', £73,000 for 'senior officers' and £233,000 for something called 'Strategy'. It represents a rise of £419,00 on the 2019-20 budget.
In May this year there is the Greater Manchester Mayor Election with the GMCA stating that "Whilst some costs will be shared due to local elections taking place, it is anticipated that a total of £4million will be required..."
The funding will be coming from retained business rates, although the GMCA will be lobbying Government to pay something towards the £4million cost of the election.
Salford will be paying £7.331million towards the total GMCA and GM Mayor Budget.
Main photo shows a bus regulation demo outside Churchgate House
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